Zelensky Confirms New Strikes on Russian Refineries
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has confirmed that Ukraine will resume strikes against Russian refineries. These facilities turn crude oil into usable fuel.
US President Donald Trump has criticised the decision, calling the renewed strikes "a shame." The comment suggests disagreement between the two leaders over strategy.
The war in Ukraine, which began when Russia invaded in 2022, continues with no clear end in sight. Both sides keep launching attacks on key targets.
Russia has been using S-400 missiles, an advanced air defence and strike system. Reports say the United States can detect these missiles almost instantly, while European countries lack the same fast detection ability.
This gap raises concerns about Europe's capacity to respond quickly to Russian military action without US support.
There are also signs of tension between Kyiv and Washington. Some reports describe Ukraine as feeling "abandoned" by its main ally, as US support appears less certain than before.
Despite this, Zelensky is reportedly continuing to defy Trump's wishes on certain military decisions, including the refinery strikes.
Meanwhile, authorities in Kyiv are reportedly developing a project referred to as an "Ark of Noah." While details remain limited, it appears to be a plan to protect the city, possibly from further attacks or related risks.
Vocabulary10 words
- refinery
- a factory that turns raw oil into fuel
- S-400 missile
- a powerful Russian weapon system used in war
- detect
- to notice or find something, often using technology
- abandoned
- left without help or support
- defy
- to refuse to obey someone powerful
- ally
- a country or person who supports you
- invasion
- when one country enters another by force
- strategy
- a plan to achieve a goal
- air defence
- systems used to stop attacks from the sky
- capacity
- the ability to do something
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Quiz
Answer key
1. Strikes on Russian refineries 2. As a shame 3. The US can detect them faster than Europe
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Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has confirmed that Ukraine will resume _____ against Russian _____.
US President Donald Trump has criticised the decision, calling the renewed strikes "a _____."
Russia has been using S-400 _____, an advanced air defence and strike system.
Reports say the United States can _____ these missiles almost instantly, while European countries lack the same fast detection ability.
Some reports describe Ukraine as feeling "_____" by its main ally.
Zelensky is reportedly continuing to _____ Trump's wishes on certain military decisions.
Authorities in Kyiv are reportedly developing a project referred to as an "Ark of _____."
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